CH 190.1

Chapter 190.1

After a long and arduous journey through the desert, we found ourselves in a mountain surrounded by a lot of nature. And what’s more, it turned out to be an area quite inaccessible to humans.

—Oh, is this…?

Kaede, who was walking beside me?, kept fidgeting. She was strangely excited and seemed to be watching the scenery over and over again.

—Hey Kaede, what’s wrong with you?

—Umm, it’s hard to explain….

—Oh come on, you’re being so annoying! Spit out what you have to say!

—Ayayay, Frau-san, you don’t have to be so cruel…

—Kyui!?

Frau despairs at Kaede’s hesitation and starts tugging on her fox ears.

At the clear pain Kaede was in, I decided to pull Frau away from her.

—Well, the thing is…. This place looks all too familiar.

Frau and I looked at each other after hearing those words…. Are we finally here?

—Does that mean we’re almost home, Kaede?

—I think so. I’m sure we’re close.

—You made it, Kaede!

—That’s great! Congratulations!

—Kyui～!

—I don’t think it’s a reason to receive congratulations, but yes, I’m finally back.

Panda, Frau and I were very happy for her. It’s been a very long road we’ve traveled. But… We had finally been able to get to the place she wanted.

We have arrived at her home.

—I’m a little worried about Grandma. I hope she is well.

That’s right. Her town had been attacked by someone. I had almost forgotten all about it. Now I remember that she was the only one who was able to escape. It wasn’t a moment we should be happy about.

But suddenly, Kaede managed to sniff something, and turned around.

—What is that smell?

—That… Smell?

A white mass was running down the road at high speed. In the blink of an eye, it took a big leap, and landed in front of us.

—Obi!

—Toru-sama! I finally caught up with him!

On the back of a large gray wolf was Obi, a member of the White Wolf Heavenly Beast Clan. He jumped down and knelt while lowering his head.

—I was looking for you when I received your urgent report. I apologize for the delay in our arrival.

—Enough apologies. What’s the report?

—Yes. It’s about the attack on the White Fox God. When Yatsufusa-sama received the news from Toru-sama, he immediately sent his clan to the area to investigate. As a result, we were able to protect Tamamo-sama and her clan.

—Tamamo-sama!?

Kaede’s family is still alive!?

That’s a great relief. It was a good decision to ask Grandpa Yatsufusa for help after all.

But to my surprise, something unexpected happened, Kaede lost strength in her legs and almost fell to the ground. So, I immediately took her in my arms.

Maybe it’s because so much stress was released.

—I—I’m sorry, I’ve lost my nerves and the strength to stand up.

—Don’t worry. The important thing is that you and your family are safe.

—Yes. Everybody’s safe… Ugh.

She was so happy that she could no longer hold back her tears.

Obi was puzzled by Kaede’s reaction, but he still decided to continue with his report.

—There are many wounded and the area is badly damaged. But Yatsufusa-sama is already there in person and in command.

—Grandfather Yatsufusa-sama? Why?

—He wants to be of service to Toru-sama, and he expects you to be with us.

—Good. In that case, take me to that place.

Kaede and I climbed onto the back of the big wolf, and set off for the area in question.

Obi had mentioned that he found us because of our scent. And that he attributed his delay due to heavy rains in the desert. After that, our scent faded and he was unable to follow our trail any closer.

But he had found it again in the city where the meteorite was. And that’s how he was able to find us.

I told him that he should have used the message scroll, but he didn’t seem to think of it, and was awkwardly silent.

He went on to talk about a couple of anecdotes he came across along the way, and we continued our journey in a relaxed manner.

—Look over there, it’s the village of the clerks!

From the wolf’s back, Kaede shouted with great joy.

As soon as we entered the village, the armed villagers blocked our way.

—Who are you? And what are you planning to do in this village? If you plan to harm Tamamo-sama, we won’t make it easy for you.

—Please wait, we are not your enemies. Guys… Could you help me to my feet?

We proceeded to place Kaede on the ground, and she calmly advanced on her own.

—W—Who are you? That white hair… It can’t be… Tamamo-sama!?

—It’s been a long time. I’m Kaede Tamamo.

—Kaede-sama!? It can’t be… Kaede-sama was a child. But you really look like her. So, you did escape alive when our village was attacked.

Kaede takes out an iron fan, the only souvenir her mother gave her.

An old man, dressed in white and wearing baggy gray pants, takes it and looks at it carefully.

—This object undoubtedly belongs to Ginkgo-sama. If you have this, then it means you are the princess.

—I’m sorry for making you worry all this time. But now I’m back.

After those words, the locals bowed to her. They called her «Princess» and she looked a little embarrassed.

The total number of the fox tribe was about a thousand. But almost all the inhabitants, both young and old, seemed to be well trained.

But, is my Kaede a princess?

Well, that’s not a very good thing to say.

—That’s enough. You can’t keep wasting your time with Kaede! The Lord is here with us! You must greet him first!

Frau uttered before all, presented a powerful statement without even bothering to read the atmosphere.

All the people looked at the necklaces around Kaede’s and Frau’s necks, then gave me sharp looks.

They all stood up and drew their weapons.

—Our princess is a slave! Everyone! Dismember this human right now!

—Yes! The blood of lesser beings is worthless!

—Who the hell does this human think he is? How dare he treat our princess like that!?

—Murder him and free the princess!

The villagers’ words were not friendly at all. And the cause of all this trouble right now is trembling me like a helpless child.

That leaves her no choice but to punish her later.

If only she had kept quiet, all this would have been easier.

As I placed my hand behind my back to wield my big sword. Obi stood in front of the inhabitants.

—I ask all of you to calm down. My name is Obi, I am the next chief of the honorable white wolf clan. And I am here to represent the great Yatsufusa-sama. My lord.

—The white wolf!? But the princess is a slave!

—Toru-sama is a dragon man. Son and descendant of the true legitimate race that all creatures revere, and who has been missing for a long time. If you are still willing to take up arms against our master, I will take it upon myself to confront you personally.

—Dragon Man? One of the oldest races…!? We are very sorry!!!

The villagers threw down their weapons again, and knelt down again.

So, this happens when you are part of an ancient race.

I can understand that dragon men are extraordinary beings, but I think I should know better why this is happening.

I guess I should ask grandfather Yatsufusa about this.

—Thank you very much. Originally the master was in favor of wanting to let us be free. But that’s a story for another day, so I’ll have to tell him what a wonderful person he is.

—I understand. If Kaede-dono says so, then it must be true, after all, she seems to be the one who understands Toru-dono’s will and wishes more than anyone else. I would love to get to know him better.

—And I am glad that you are someone so loyal, Obi-dono.

Kaede and Obi smile as they talk to each other.

The absolute trust they both have in me is painful. Kaede was a bit of an anomaly, but Obi was no slouch either.

And, on the other hand, Frau and Panda were the complete opposite.

—Let’s go into the village, master.

—Yes, go ahead, Toru-sama.

Umm…

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